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Published: June 21st 2009
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Day 2 of my Parisian adventure! I started with my favourite pass-time of wandering around the small streets (this time around La Bastille). I had lunch at a cozy little café, and then metro’d over to Notre Dame de Paris.
I had to walk through the Latin Quarter - again the architecture is lovely, but I didn‘t get to enjoy it long. About 5min into my walk it started to pour, and I mean
POUR, rain, and unfortunately umbrellas don’t help much when the rain is coming straight at you. Hoards of tourists were running full blast towards the cathedral just for shelter... and I was one of them. Notre Dame lived up to my expectations - both the inside and outside are incredible. I was slightly bummed not to go upstairs (due to the attack of rain-drenched tourists, the line was entirely too long), but that’s something I can look forward to next time.
Outside I was approached by no less than 5 different “Bosnian” women who all had the same story - mother sick, need money. 3 of the 5 cursed me when I told them I had no change. Lovely.
I walked around the island
for a bit, and had a nice chat with an old man. At first I thought “oh God, another drunk” when he started talking haha, but he was sober! Score one for me. We talked a bit about Canada - he was very interested in the fact I wasn’t from Quebec (see!), and then we talked about France. He was sweet - I like talking to locals when they‘re not crazy.
I continued on my merry way along the Seine, when another man approached me. He gave me the “you have a beautiful smile” line they all seem to like to use. At first I didn‘t mind him walking with me b/c we were just chatting, but then he started asking too many questions (of course I didn‘t answer truthfully - I pretended to be in town visiting family etc). Since I refused to answer him, he’s like (in French) “well, I don’t think this is going to work out” HAHA. Uh, no. No it will not. He stopped, turned around, and that was that. Silly men.
I headed back to the metro, when another old man approached me as I walked through the park. We started chatting
about Paris, however, he too started asking too many questions, and offered to walk with me through the city. I declined the offer.
After this second encounter I decided Grandpa’s wedding band was changing fingers and living on my ring finger for the rest of my Parisian day. I am now married.
The rest of my day was uneventful. I went to the Eiffel Tower and climbed up to the 2nd story - yes, all 668 steps. My legs, they were on fire. The view was nice though, although it’s not really
THAT high considering we’re used to the CN. My camera died on me as I was taking my final pictures upstairs, so I guess it was good timing..?
I walked back along the Champs de Mars up to the Ecole Militaire, and over to Les Invalides. It sucked using my cell which obv doesn’t let me get in close and do the artsy photos I love, but it’s better than nothing. I crossed the Pont Alexandre (beautiful statues all along the bridge) and walked past Le Grand Palais and le Musee d’Orsay - which is currently holding a display about Quebec! I had to laugh,
too bad I didn’t have time to see it.
So that was my Parisian existence, and now I’m off to London - see you there!
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Lulu
non-member comment
*snort*
I know you know who I'm thinking you're now married to. =) I can't wait to see pictures!